Ordinance 3454-15 with Exhibits A- C

EVERETT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2.6 Open Space Land Use Policies The Growth Management states that each city and county "shall identify open space corridors within and between urban growth areas. These open space corridors shall include lands useful for recreation, wildlife habitat, trails, and connection of critical areas." The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) guidelines suggest including the generalized location of land needed for open space corridors within the planning area. Park lands and other publicly owned open space areas (school playfields, parcels consisting of critical areas and their buffers, and Port of Everett recreational property) will be designated as a specific land use category on the Land Use Map. All other private open space lands will not be designated or mapped as an open space land use category. However, a separate map indicating existing open space lands is included in the land use element as a supplement to the policies contained herein. In addition to public park and school lands, other portions of the Everett Planning Area may be considered to be permanent open space, such as lands which are regulated as critical areas, excess lands within public rights- of-way, utility corridors, land placed in tracts or under covenants as greenbelts or native growth areas, agricultural land, lakes, Port Gardner Bay and other waterfront areas. Additionally, usable portions of privately owned lands, such as common areas in residential developments or office park settings provide private open space, which adds to the amenity of the community and the value of the property. The lands shown on the Open Space Map are generally considered to be "permanent" open spaces. They include open space corridors and buffers within the Everett Planning Area and between Everett and other urban growth areas. The Open Space Map includes significant view amenities that help define the character of many parts of Everett. However, it is recognized that private lands shown as open space may be developed in accordance with the zoning designations and development regulations applicable to the individual properties. Most of the privately owned land shown on the Open Space Map is designated as "critical areas". The quality of open spaces is important in providing livable communities and attracting people to live in cities, away from rural lands. Open spaces are also associated with measurable public health benefits by providing people with access to nature and the amenities needed for exercise, both of which have links to stress reduction and physical wellness. Urbanization has the potential to damage open spaces through impacts such as introducing pollutants from stormwater runoff, introduction of invasive species, and increasing temperatures. Urban forests are disappearing and with them go important functions such as wildlife habitat, temperature reduction, reduction of stormwater runoff and absorption of particulates and other air pollutants. It is not the intent of the Open Space Map or these policies to commit the City of Everett or any other public agency to the acquisition of privately owned lands identified as open space. Additionally, publicly owned land that is shown as open space may be held for some other public use, such as undeveloped lands within public rights-of-way, that could become developed in the future. The Open Space Policies of the Land Use Element are intended to enhance the sense of open space presently existing within the community and to further the values provided by open spaces within the Everett Planning Area, while recognizing the rights of private property owners, and the need to provide for public facilities and utilities. LAND USE ELEMENT 30